SUN Bucks is a new program launching for the first time in Maryland during the summer of 2024 and is designed to help keep summer hunger at bay and ensure that Maryland students can return to school well-nourished and ready to learn. The program will provide eligible families with $40 per month issued in the last week of June, July, and August (a total of $120) for each eligible student.
Most eligible students will receive this benefit automatically on existing SNAP EBT cards or on a separate SUN Bucks Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which will be mailed to the address on file with their school. However, Maryland has numerous Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools whose students may need to submit an application online using the myMDThink portal. A list of CEP schools can be found here.
- Benefits will be distributed automatically to families if:
- their child was enrolled to receive free or reduced-price meals at school in the last school year
- their child is school-aged (5-18) and part of a household that gets SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid benefits OR
- their child is in foster care.
Students who are not part of the three categories above may apply online.
SUN Bucks complements the existing free summer meals programs, which will continue to play a vital role in reducing childhood hunger.
To find more information about the implementation of Maryland SUN Bucks and answers to frequently asked questions, visit dhs.maryland.gov/SUNBucks.
To locate a free summer meal site, visit www.mdsummermeals.org.
